Humboldt Broncos’ president steps down

The public face of team’s bus crash tragedy wants more time with family

HUMBOLDT, SASK.— The man who became the public face of the Humboldt Broncos in the days after the Saskatchewan junior hockey team’s bus crashed in April has stepped down as president of the organization.

Kevin Garinger told a club board meeting on Tuesday he will not be seeking re-election to the top post.

Garinger said he wants to devote more time to his family, to his job as CEO and director of education with Saskatchewan’s Horizon School Division and to a doctorate he’s pursuing in educational leadership.

“It’s been a decision that’s not been taken lightly. I feel it’s the right time for somebody else to be able to take over and continue to move this organization forward,” he said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

Now into the third year of a three-year term on the board, Garinger is to provide support and guidance for new president Jamie Brockman.

Garinger said he took on the presidency last year when no one else wanted the job. Brockman, who served as president between 2012 and 2017, said in a news release Wednesday that he did not intend to take the job again, but he wants to ensure the team continues to be strong.

Sixteen people were killed and 13 were injured when the team’s bus and a transport truck collided at a highway intersection northeast of Saskatoon on the way to a playoff game.